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Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum

One of the most abundant European dragonflies, the male common darter is typically a vivid red colour and the female turns from a yellow colour to a deep chocolate brown. The common darter can be found in a wide variety of wetland habitats, but generally prefer to breed on still waters such as ponds and lakes.

Conservation status

Common darter is a widespread and abundant species that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, but not shaded or polluted sites. Improved water quality will therefore benefit this species, but like most other dragonflies, it is threatened by sea level rise.

Details

Did you know?

There are about 5,500 species of dragonfly in the world. Most species live in the tropics, but here in Norfolk we have only ever recorded 34 species, although new migrants are arriving every year so keep your eyes open.

How to recognise

There are two commonly seen red-coloured darters, both of which can have tiny areas of yellow in the base of their wings. Male common darters are brick-red in colour whereas male ruddy darters are blood-red when mature. Females and immatures of both species are yellow to light brown, but female common darters are duller than female ruddy darters. One key feature to note, if you can get close enough to see it clearly, is the colour of their legs. Ruddy darters have completely black legs, but common darters have a pale line down theirs. Be careful though, we sometimes get yellow-winged, red-veined and even vagrant darters arriving from the continent and these are all superficially similar to common Darter.

Where to see

Common darters are resident throughout England, Wales and Ireland, as well as parts of Scotland. They can be found in a wide range of habitats including dykes, ponds, lakes and even brackish waters. They often occur in large numbers and have the habit of lining up along pale surfaces such as the top of gates, handrails on fences and even washing lines. You should be able to find them on every Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve, including NWT Grimston Warren and NWT Ranworth Broad.

When to see

In Norfolk this species starts to emerge from the water in June and can be seen on the wing from then until late autumn. If conditions remain mild, one or two individuals might even be spotted in early December. Pairs of darters in flight lay eggs into shallow water. The male uses his anal appendages to hold the female behind her head as she repeatedly dips her abdomen into the water to scatter the eggs. Eggs hatch within a few weeks, or if laid later in the season, the following spring. Larvae emerge after spending up to one year in the mud and weeds.

Create your own wetland habitat. Build a pond in your garden. Stock your pond with native plants, ensuring you have a good variety of submerged and marginal plants. Keep the south side of the pond unshaded and don’t introduce any fish. If you need to top up the pond, try not to use tap water.

Related reserves

Related questions & advice

What is the main flora and fauna at NWT Upton Fen?

NWT Upton Fen is rich in wetland fauna and flora. A wide variety of plants and animals – especially invertebrates - can be found and the Fen is particularly well-known for dragonflies (it is one of the top ten sites in the UK for these amazing insects).

You can find more information about the types of plants and animals found at Upton Fen on our website under the ‘Nature Reserves’ section.

What is the difference between dragonflies and damselflies?

The main difference is that dragonflies hold their wings open at 90 degrees to their body when resting whereas damselflies hold their wings parallel to their body. On the whole, damselflies are much smaller than dragonflies. Dragonflies have huge eyes which occupy most of their globular head whilst damselflies have much smaller eyes which are positioned at each end of their oblong head. The flight of a damselfly is a relatively weak fluttering type compared to a dragonfly’s.